(Encyclopedia) Homestead Act, 1862, passed by the U.S. Congress. It provided for the transfer of 160 acres (65 hectares) of unoccupied public land to each homesteader on payment of a nominal fee…
(Encyclopedia) honeyguide, small plainly colored Old World bird of the family Indicatoridae, known for its habit of leading man and some lower animals (notably the honey badger) to the nests of wild…
(Encyclopedia) Donovan, William JosephDonovan, William Josephdŏnˈəvən [key], 1883–1959, U.S. lawyer and government official, b. Buffalo, N.Y., grad. Columbia law school. Distinguished service in…
(Encyclopedia) Allen, Paul Gardner, 1953–2018, American business executive and philanthropist, b. Seattle. He dropped out of Washington State Univ. (1974) and with his friend Bill Gates co-founded (…
(Encyclopedia) Durham, John George Lambton, 1st earl ofDurham, John George Lambton, 1st earl ofdûrˈ əm [key], 1792–1840, British statesman. A stormy liberal career in Parliament (1813–32), which…
(Encyclopedia) Ellsworth, Oliver, 1745–1807, American political leader, 3d chief justice of the United States (1796–1800), b. Windsor, Conn. A Hartford lawyer, he was (1778–83) a member of the…
(Encyclopedia) Emanuel, Rahm Israel, 1959–, American politician, b. Chicago, grad. Sarah Lawrence College (B.A., 1981), Northwestern Univ. (M.A., 1985). A seasoned Democratic power broker and skilled…
(Encyclopedia) grosbeakgrosbeakgrōsˈbēk [key] [great beak], common name for various members of the family Fringillidae (finch family). Grosbeaks are characterized by their large conical bills. The…
(Encyclopedia) Johnson, Richard Mentor, 1780–1850, Vice President of the United States (1837–41), b. Kentucky, on the site of present Louisville. Admitted (1802) to the bar, he became prominent in…
(Encyclopedia) Sverdrup, JohanSverdrup, Johanyōhänˈ [key]Sverdrup, Johan svĕrˈdr&oobreve;p [key], 1816–92, Norwegian prime minister. As a member of the Storting (1851–84) and as prime minister (…
